Blocking Ships

On our last day in the Orkneys today, we drove down to Burray and South Ronaldsay islands, which are now linked to Mainland by the Churchill Barriers, built during WWII to block the Skapa Flow deep water harbour from German U-boats. There are still a few of the wrecks of blocking ships in the channels between the islands, sunk purposely before the barriers were built. Italian POWs were drafted in to help build the concrete barriers, and they built a small chapel (the Italian Chapel) in their internment camp, which is still there today. 

We also went to another neolithic tomb (the Tomb of the Eagles - as they found lots of eagle talons along with other artefacts and human remains when the tomb was discovered), with a nearby bronze-age "burnt mound" site, which seems to possibly have been a type of bath house (we think). 

Along the way, we drove past beautiful turquoise bays with white sand beaches (see extra), as well as catching a perfect view of the Ring of Brodgar (extra) which gives you a good sense of the scale.

We stopped at another art gallery and bought another piece of art, and  we have no idea where we will put it, as our walls are already overfull, and we have things that aren't being hung as it is!

Then, the rain came bucketing in, and it looks set to be wet until we leave tomorrow. We've had reasonable weather, all told. Very fortunate.